R.K ♡

04

I didn't wake up to the sound of my alarm clock, but to the sound of the shower running. Not just the shower running, but I could also hear slight humming to the song "Everybody Talks". The clock reads it's about 7 am, June 30th. Luckily we always get an extra day off before summer so there's no rush to get ready. Rika left the dirty clothes I let her borrow in the hamper outside my bathroom. While waiting for Rika to get out, I tidy up my room and fold the spare blankets I had Rika use. 

The shower finally turns off and Rika came out wrapped in a couple of towels and one in her hand to help dry her hair.

"ya mind if I borrow some of your clothes?" She's looking through my closet when she pulls out my Madonna shirt. I nod my head just having her assure me I would get them back. She picked out the Maddona shirt, a sheer, mesh-like long sleeve to go under it, and ripped jean shorts. She wore the same platform shoes she wore last night and waited on my bed for me to be done getting ready. I took a quick 5-minute shower and changed into my usual attire, a simple white tank top tucked into loose ripped jeans. Rika helped brush out my hair and made sure I took care of myself.

"Ai texted, she wants to know if we could go to the mall because you said you needed to," Rika said as she was finishing up brushing my hair. 

"I would like that.." I sat down on my bed, putting on my belt and tying up my shoes. Rika texted back a simple "ok" and played with my hair as I was finishing up the last shoe. Rika's phone was blowing up with texts from "Birth giver" who I assume was her mom. Rika silenced her notifications as the room was filled with awkward tension.

"I think your mom is worried about where you are Rika." I look over to Rika who is getting her bag ready.

"She has never given a damn about me, she's only asking when I'll be home to clean up the bar." She stuffs some pads/tampons in her bag and zips it shut. It's clear she was tense so I didn't want to push her any farther. But I was still concerned about her relationship status with her parents.

"Whelp moping over!" She turns around and grabs my hand. "Let's hit the mall yeah?" She stands me up and starts walking downstairs. Before we leave I see my brother preparing breakfast in the kitchen. I drop Rika's hand and I could just barely see a frown on her face. I run-up to my brother and hug him from behind. He turns around with a shocked look on his face.

"Woah there, hey dude, what's up?" He acts like a surfer guy who chugged a bunch of coffee at all times.

"Oh, I didn't know you had a friend over. I'm Y/b/n." Rika perks up, glad that my brother is someone who you can easily get along with.

"Rika," She says with a smile on her face.

"Where are you both heading off to?" He asks, handing both of us an apple slice he just cut. 

"The mall. Probably just to get some summer clothes." I explain, finishing up the apple slice and wiping my mouth on my shirt. He nods and gives us the spare key and wishes us a goodbye. He has always been an amazing brother because we both need to look out for each other since we're usually the only two in the house. As we walk down the sidewalk, Rika slips her hand into mine and squeezes it tight.

"Your brother acts like the dad I wish I had.."

"You don't like your dad?" She turns away at the question, clearly hesitant on answering it.

"I never knew what it was like to have a dad. His gentle voice is all I remember." I stop, still holding Rika's hand. She turns around with a fake smile on her face.

"Listen it's not that big of a deal, all it does is keep me up at night sometimes." She rests her head against my chest.

"I'm sorry If I kind of cornered you with that question. If you don't feel comfortable with anything we do together, just tell me." She wraps her arms around my waist and I do the same. She's not crying, but she's close too.